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Coronavirus live: UK Covid response a ‘public health failure’, inquiry finds, Thailand set to welcome back tourists Coronavirus live: UK Covid response a ‘public health failure’, inquiry finds, Thailand set to welcome back tourists
(31 minutes later)
Britain’s initial response to the coronavirus pandemic led to more deaths, Commons inquiry finds; Thailand to drop mandatory quarantine for UK and US visitorsBritain’s initial response to the coronavirus pandemic led to more deaths, Commons inquiry finds; Thailand to drop mandatory quarantine for UK and US visitors
That last block mentioned that Prof Sir Andrew Pollard had written for us. As well as a message for governments, he had a message for individuals too: Individuals cannot solve vaccine inequality. If you’re offered a booster, take it
The “to boost or not to boost” moral dilemma is not in the purview of individual citizens who ponder whether to roll up their sleeve when offered a booster by a vaccine clinic this week. A dose that is in the vaccine clinic fridge (or freezer) cannot be redirected to someone else in another country, because the regulatory hurdles and shelf-life simply make redistribution of this dose not practical. Redistribution has to happen prior to the release of vaccine doses to the national health system. A protest against vaccination at individual level will be misdirected and risks wasting these precious doses. If you are asked to roll up your sleeve, then you should do so.
Read more here: Professor Sir Andrew Pollard – Individuals cannot solve vaccine inequality. If you’re offered a booster, take it
Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide will die needlessly from Covid this autumn as wealthy nations prioritise booster shots for their own “highly protected” people instead of sharing doses, the head of the Oxford vaccine group has warned.
Prof Sir Andrew Pollard said that while it was “possible” a third dose might help protect some people, the “potential benefit” for the vast majority was “small” because most double jabbed people were already “highly protected” against Covid-19.
Writing for the Guardian, Pollard said the “failure” of wealthier nations to share more vaccines this summer – coupled with their decisions to embark on large-scale booster programmes – meant large numbers of avoidable deaths were now inevitable.
Supply of vaccines to poorer countries is improving and likely to “get better”, he said. “But for many hundreds of thousands of people, it won’t be soon enough.”
Read more of our health editor Andrew Gregory’s report here: Rich nations warned hogging Covid jabs will lead to huge global death toll
Here’s just a couple more key lines from that Sky News interview with UK minister for the cabinet Steve Barclay. On whether the nation locked down quickly enough he said:
On the claim that politicians did not challenge scientists enough on their advice:
On sending care home residents back from hospital while they had Covid:
Minister for the Cabinet Office Steve Barclay has persistently refused to apologise for the government’s early handling of the Covid crisis during his appearance on Sky News, and has also said that that he’s gone on air this morning without having read the report that he is being questioned about.Minister for the Cabinet Office Steve Barclay has persistently refused to apologise for the government’s early handling of the Covid crisis during his appearance on Sky News, and has also said that that he’s gone on air this morning without having read the report that he is being questioned about.
Presenter Kay Burley has made the point that “you don’t need to go through the whole hefty report in order to know that it says 20,000 people died needlessly.”Presenter Kay Burley has made the point that “you don’t need to go through the whole hefty report in order to know that it says 20,000 people died needlessly.”
Barclay’s line pretty much boils down to repeating variations on this point:Barclay’s line pretty much boils down to repeating variations on this point:
While minister Steve Barclay is being pressed in the UK on Sky News – without much success – for an apology over the government’s handling of Covid by Kay Burley, here’s how Politico’s morning newsletter summarised the findings of the report:While minister Steve Barclay is being pressed in the UK on Sky News – without much success – for an apology over the government’s handling of Covid by Kay Burley, here’s how Politico’s morning newsletter summarised the findings of the report:
Good morning, it is Martin Belam here in London taking over from Samantha Lock. It looks like Minister for the Cabinet Office Steve Barclay has drawn the short straw of doing the UK’s media round in the wake of that damning report describing the country’s Covid response as “one of UK’s worst ever public health failures”. I’ll have the key quotes from that shortly. Here’s our lead story:Good morning, it is Martin Belam here in London taking over from Samantha Lock. It looks like Minister for the Cabinet Office Steve Barclay has drawn the short straw of doing the UK’s media round in the wake of that damning report describing the country’s Covid response as “one of UK’s worst ever public health failures”. I’ll have the key quotes from that shortly. Here’s our lead story:
Amazon says it will allow those in “corporate roles” to continue working remotely indefinitely as long as they can commute to the office “within a day’s notice” when necessary.Amazon says it will allow those in “corporate roles” to continue working remotely indefinitely as long as they can commute to the office “within a day’s notice” when necessary.
The new policy was announced by CEO Andy Jassy in a blog post on Tuesday.The new policy was announced by CEO Andy Jassy in a blog post on Tuesday.
The company previously stipulated that most employees would need to be in the office at least three days a week after offices reopen in January.The company previously stipulated that most employees would need to be in the office at least three days a week after offices reopen in January.
Most of Amazon’s more than 1 million employees worldwide cannot work remotely because they are in the company’s fulfillment and transportation division.Most of Amazon’s more than 1 million employees worldwide cannot work remotely because they are in the company’s fulfillment and transportation division.
New Zealand’s pivot from Covid elimination ‘surprised’ top health expertsNew Zealand’s pivot from Covid elimination ‘surprised’ top health experts
A number of epidemiologists and public health experts who have been central to helping chart and communicate New Zealand’s Covid response thus far say they were taken by surprise by its new direction, and not consulted by the government as it pivoted away from elimination and outlined a controversial set of “steps” out of level 3 restrictions last week.A number of epidemiologists and public health experts who have been central to helping chart and communicate New Zealand’s Covid response thus far say they were taken by surprise by its new direction, and not consulted by the government as it pivoted away from elimination and outlined a controversial set of “steps” out of level 3 restrictions last week.
“We were obviously surprised on Monday last week when the government seemed to say that we were moving away from elimination,” said prof Michael Baker, one of the country’s most prominent pandemic communicators and a member of the ministry’s Covid-19 Technical Advisory group. “A decision of that size – changing your major strategy – you’d think you would consult with [the] quite small batch of scientists and other advisers who work very hard to support the government … explaining things to the public.”“We were obviously surprised on Monday last week when the government seemed to say that we were moving away from elimination,” said prof Michael Baker, one of the country’s most prominent pandemic communicators and a member of the ministry’s Covid-19 Technical Advisory group. “A decision of that size – changing your major strategy – you’d think you would consult with [the] quite small batch of scientists and other advisers who work very hard to support the government … explaining things to the public.”
“That was very unusual. I think the government’s done a great job generally with consultation and getting us all to at least understand the rationale for change.”“That was very unusual. I think the government’s done a great job generally with consultation and getting us all to at least understand the rationale for change.”
Read the full story here:Read the full story here:
Texas governor orders ban on vaccine mandatesTexas governor orders ban on vaccine mandates
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order on Monday to prohibit any entity, including private business, from enforcing a Covid-19 vaccine mandate on workers and called on state lawmakers to pass a similar ban into law.Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order on Monday to prohibit any entity, including private business, from enforcing a Covid-19 vaccine mandate on workers and called on state lawmakers to pass a similar ban into law.
The move comes as the Biden administration is set to issue rules requiring employers with more than 100 workers to be vaccinated or test weekly for the coronavirus.The move comes as the Biden administration is set to issue rules requiring employers with more than 100 workers to be vaccinated or test weekly for the coronavirus.
Several major companies, including Texas-based American Airlines and Southwest Airlines, have said they would abide by the federal mandate.Several major companies, including Texas-based American Airlines and Southwest Airlines, have said they would abide by the federal mandate.
“No entity in Texas can compel receipt of a Covid-19 vaccine by any individual, including an employee or a consumer, who objects to such vaccination for any reason of personal conscience, based on a religious belief, or for medical reasons, including prior recovery from Covid-19,” Abbott wrote in his order.“No entity in Texas can compel receipt of a Covid-19 vaccine by any individual, including an employee or a consumer, who objects to such vaccination for any reason of personal conscience, based on a religious belief, or for medical reasons, including prior recovery from Covid-19,” Abbott wrote in his order.
Read the full story here:Read the full story here:
SummarySummary
Hello and welcome to our rolling coronavirus news coverage. I’m Samantha Lock and I’ll be giving you a rundown of the latest updates as they happen.Hello and welcome to our rolling coronavirus news coverage. I’m Samantha Lock and I’ll be giving you a rundown of the latest updates as they happen.
A landmark inquiry has found Britain’s early handling of the coronavirus pandemic to be one of the worst public health failures in UK history.A landmark inquiry has found Britain’s early handling of the coronavirus pandemic to be one of the worst public health failures in UK history.
The 151-page report, ‘Coronavirus: lessons learned to date’, led by two former Conservative ministers, found authorities took a “fatalistic” approach that exacerbated the nation’s death toll.The 151-page report, ‘Coronavirus: lessons learned to date’, led by two former Conservative ministers, found authorities took a “fatalistic” approach that exacerbated the nation’s death toll.
Despite being one of the first countries to develop a test for Covid in January 2020, the UK “squandered” its lead and “converted it into one of permanent crisis”, the report said.Despite being one of the first countries to develop a test for Covid in January 2020, the UK “squandered” its lead and “converted it into one of permanent crisis”, the report said.
In more positive news for travellers, Thailand is set to reopen its borders to sun-seeking vaccinated tourists from November.In more positive news for travellers, Thailand is set to reopen its borders to sun-seeking vaccinated tourists from November.
Mandatory quarantine requirements will be dropped for visitors from the UK and US and alcohol will be allowed to be served at restaurants from 1 December.Mandatory quarantine requirements will be dropped for visitors from the UK and US and alcohol will be allowed to be served at restaurants from 1 December.
Tourism made up almost 20% of the nation’s income prior to the pandemic, attracting nearly 40 million visitors a year. However, Covid-related travel restrictions have left the economy battered, contributing to its worst performance in more than 20 years.Tourism made up almost 20% of the nation’s income prior to the pandemic, attracting nearly 40 million visitors a year. However, Covid-related travel restrictions have left the economy battered, contributing to its worst performance in more than 20 years.
French study of over 22m people finds vaccines reduces the risk of dying or being hospitalised in people over the age of 50 with Covid-19 by 90%. The research published on Monday also found that vaccines appear to protect against the worst effects of the most prevalent virus strain, the Delta variant.French study of over 22m people finds vaccines reduces the risk of dying or being hospitalised in people over the age of 50 with Covid-19 by 90%. The research published on Monday also found that vaccines appear to protect against the worst effects of the most prevalent virus strain, the Delta variant.
The UK reported a further 40,224 Covid cases on Monday, according to official data. Meanwhile, a further 28 deaths were reported.The UK reported a further 40,224 Covid cases on Monday, according to official data. Meanwhile, a further 28 deaths were reported.
Covid pandemic pushes poor countries to record debt levels, the World Bank says. David Malpass, the bank’s president warned the virus had widened the gap between rich and poor nations, setting back progress by years and, in the case of some countries, by a decade. Figures show the debt burden of more than 70 low-income nations had increased by a record 12% to $860bn (£630bn) in 2020.Covid pandemic pushes poor countries to record debt levels, the World Bank says. David Malpass, the bank’s president warned the virus had widened the gap between rich and poor nations, setting back progress by years and, in the case of some countries, by a decade. Figures show the debt burden of more than 70 low-income nations had increased by a record 12% to $860bn (£630bn) in 2020.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended immunocompromised people be given an additional dose of the Covid vaccine, due to their higher risk of breakthrough infections after standard immunisation.The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended immunocompromised people be given an additional dose of the Covid vaccine, due to their higher risk of breakthrough infections after standard immunisation.
From today people in Wales must show an NHS Covid Pass or demonstrate their vaccination status to enter nightclubs and attend large events in the country.From today people in Wales must show an NHS Covid Pass or demonstrate their vaccination status to enter nightclubs and attend large events in the country.
People in Germany will now need to pay for lateral flow coronavirus tests out of their own pockets, as the government is trying to nudge vaccine-hesitant citizens into getting the jab.People in Germany will now need to pay for lateral flow coronavirus tests out of their own pockets, as the government is trying to nudge vaccine-hesitant citizens into getting the jab.
Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, seen coughing during a televised government meeting, reassured officials on Monday that he was fine and said he was being tested for Covid virtually every day.Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, seen coughing during a televised government meeting, reassured officials on Monday that he was fine and said he was being tested for Covid virtually every day.
Meanwhile, Russia’s daily Covid numbers remain close to their highest figures with 957 coronavirus-related deaths and 29,409 new cases in the past 24 hours.Meanwhile, Russia’s daily Covid numbers remain close to their highest figures with 957 coronavirus-related deaths and 29,409 new cases in the past 24 hours.
Germany ends free lateral flow tests as part of vaccination drive. From Monday, people in Germany will need to pay for lateral flow coronavirus tests out of their own pockets, as the government is trying to nudge vaccine-hesitant citizens into getting the jab. The government says it can no longer justify paying for free tests out of the public purse since all residents over the age of 12 can now get the jab if they want to.Germany ends free lateral flow tests as part of vaccination drive. From Monday, people in Germany will need to pay for lateral flow coronavirus tests out of their own pockets, as the government is trying to nudge vaccine-hesitant citizens into getting the jab. The government says it can no longer justify paying for free tests out of the public purse since all residents over the age of 12 can now get the jab if they want to.
Rome’s violent protests against Covid-19 vaccine prompts calls to abolish Italian neofascist movements.Rome’s violent protests against Covid-19 vaccine prompts calls to abolish Italian neofascist movements.
Wales will enforce showing an NHS Covid Pass or vaccination status for those who wish to enter nightclubs and attend large events in the country. It means all over-18s need one to enter nightclubs, indoor non-seated events for more than 500 people, such as concerts or conventions, outdoor non-seated events for more than 4,000 people and any setting or event with more than 10,000 people in attendance. People will also be able to show they have had a negative lateral flow test result within the last 48 hours.Wales will enforce showing an NHS Covid Pass or vaccination status for those who wish to enter nightclubs and attend large events in the country. It means all over-18s need one to enter nightclubs, indoor non-seated events for more than 500 people, such as concerts or conventions, outdoor non-seated events for more than 4,000 people and any setting or event with more than 10,000 people in attendance. People will also be able to show they have had a negative lateral flow test result within the last 48 hours.
Australia still lags behind many other countries on vaccine rollout – but it’s catching up fast. After a slow start and sluggish vaccine rollout, 68.2% of Australians have had at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine as of 8 October. This is ahead of Germany at 67.9%, the United States at 64.39%, and the European Union at 67.8%.Australia still lags behind many other countries on vaccine rollout – but it’s catching up fast. After a slow start and sluggish vaccine rollout, 68.2% of Australians have had at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine as of 8 October. This is ahead of Germany at 67.9%, the United States at 64.39%, and the European Union at 67.8%.
Slower vaccination rates in eastern Europe are leading to a dramatic surge in cases in comparison to higher vaccination rates and lower Covid infection and death rates in western Europe, figures from Our World In Data suggests. The exception is in the UK where case numbers are surging.Slower vaccination rates in eastern Europe are leading to a dramatic surge in cases in comparison to higher vaccination rates and lower Covid infection and death rates in western Europe, figures from Our World In Data suggests. The exception is in the UK where case numbers are surging.
Ryanair bans Covid refund passengers from boarding new flights. The budget airline has been accused of barring passengers who pursued chargebacks during the pandemic from taking new flights this year – unless they return their refunds. An investigation by MoneySavingExpert (MSE) found that holidaymakers who sought refunds from their credit card provider faced last-minute demands of up to £600 if they want to board a Ryanair plane.Ryanair bans Covid refund passengers from boarding new flights. The budget airline has been accused of barring passengers who pursued chargebacks during the pandemic from taking new flights this year – unless they return their refunds. An investigation by MoneySavingExpert (MSE) found that holidaymakers who sought refunds from their credit card provider faced last-minute demands of up to £600 if they want to board a Ryanair plane.
Relatives of coronavirus victims in Italy are pushing for a full public inquiry into the government’s handling of the pandemic as documents from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) show the first Covid-19 cases registered in 16 European countries originated from Italy.Relatives of coronavirus victims in Italy are pushing for a full public inquiry into the government’s handling of the pandemic as documents from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) show the first Covid-19 cases registered in 16 European countries originated from Italy.